Esl Curriculum Guidelines 2006

Arkansas Adult ESL Curriculum Guidelines
The purpose of these guidelines is to assist Arkansas educators in providing English

language instruction for limited English proficient adults. By learning the various skills
included in the guidelines, adult students of English will increase their ability to
communicate in English while learning about U.S. systems, customs, and culture.
The content is compatible with generally accepted principles of language acquisition for
adult learners of English and includes skills useful in life, academic, and workplace
applications. The competencies contained in these guidelines encompass the language
skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Students need not progress through the curriculum sequentially. The instructor
may present topic-centered lessons that integrate skills from several areas. It is not
intended that instructors rigidly adhere to these guidelines. Instructors are encouraged
to use them as a tool to enhance and assure the quality of instruction. The skill area
boxes are also open-ended so teachers can add additional skills as needed.
The curriculum presented in the first three sections is organized by life skills, academic
skills, and workplace skills. All six language proficiency levels, as defined by the
National Reporting System for Adult Education (new levels as of July 1, 2006), are listed
under each skill area. In the last section of the manual, the organization is level by
level, with all the skills listed under each level.
The Arkansas Adult Education ESL Task Force developed these guidelines; however, it
did not re-invent the wheel. The task force reviewed, revised, and adapted a variety of
curricula already used in many states, including Arizona, California, Florida, Maryland,
New York, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia (Arlington program). Our gratitude goes out
to all those who contributed their time and effort to create these curriculum models.
Members of the Arkansas Adult Education ESL Task Force (2005)

Philip Less, Chair
Arkansas Department of Workforce Education
Ben Aldama
Jim Allen
Christi Barnard
Marie Bruno
Beth Cooper
Sharon Ellis
Twyla Ferguson
George French
Susan Goodsell
Andre Guerrero
Jacob Humphrey
Abby James
Maxine Kemp
Linda Kindy
Laurie Kirkpatrick
Nancy Loftis
Erin Long
Charlotte Robinson
Danny Sheffield
Bruce Singleton
Marsha Taylor
Larry Therrell
Ruth Ann Williams
Desiree Wright
Northwest Arkansas Community College Adult Education

Ozark Literacy Council
Conway Adult Education
Arkansas Literacy Councils
Fort Smith Adult Education
Fort Smith Adult Education
Arkansas River Valley Libraries for Literacy
Deputy Director, AR Department of Workforce Education
Warren Adult Education
Arkansas Department of Education
Ozark Literacy Council
Russellville Adult Education
Arkansas River Valley Libraries for Literacy
Little Rock Adult Education
Cossatot Community College Adult Education
Arkansas Adult Learning Resource Center
Fayetteville Adult Education
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Northwest Arkansas Community College Adult Education
Western Arkansas Literacy Council
Arkansas Adult Learning Resource Center
Conway Adult Education
Russellville Adult Education
Thanks also go to Trisha Everett (Department of Workforce Education) for her

assistance with the final formatting of the guidelines.
For examples of lesson plans and matching instructional materials used by other states,
please refer to the Arlington Education and Employment Program (REEP) or the
Tennessee online curriculum.
REEP: http://www.arlington.k12.va.us/instruct/ctae/adult_ed/REEP/reepcurriculum/
Tennessee: http://aeonline.coe.utk.edu/esolcrg.pdf
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Please address any questions or comments about the guidelines to
Adult Education Section
(501) 682-1970
I. Life Skills
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
Interpersonal Communication ...................................................................... 4

Telephone Skills ............................................................................................ 6
Health and Nutrition ...................................................................................... 8
Time and Money ............................................................................................10
Transportation and Travel ............................................................................12
Safety and Security .......................................................................................14
Consumer Education ....................................................................................16
Government and Community Resources ....................................................18
Environment and the World ..........................................................................20
J. Family and Parenting ....................................................................................22
II. Academic Skills

A. Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing .................................................24
B. Grammar Structures ......................................................................................30
C. Pronunciation ................................................................................................33
III. Workplace Development Skills

A. Obtaining Employment .................................................................................35
B. Maintaining Employment ..............................................................................37
C. Career Advancement and Accessing Technology .....................................39
IV. National Reporting System Proficiency Levels (as of July 1, 2006)

Level 1 Beginning Literacy ...................................................................................41
Level 2 Low Beginning .........................................................................................47
Level 3 High Beginning .........................................................................................54
Level 4 Low Intermediate ......................................................................................60
Level 5 High Intermediate .....................................................................................66
Level 6 Advanced ..................................................................................................72
V. Appendix
A. NRS Educational Functioning Levels for ESL ............................................78
B. Metacognitive and Cognitive Learning Strategies .....................................82
LIFE SKILLS
A. Interpersonal Communication
Level 1 Beginning Literacy
Use appropriate greetings, introductions, & farewells
Identify self & give personal information
Express orally likes, dislikes, feelings, & emotions
Use & respond to polite expressions
Recognize & use culturally appropriate body language
Recognize basic colloquial expressions &d idioms (Turn on
the light. Whats up?)
NOTES:
Level 2 Low Beginning

Report personal information
Make formal & informal greetings, introductions, & farewells
Recognize appropriate offers & invitations (drinks, movies,
gifts)
Recognize colloquial expressions & idioms
Level 3 High Beginning

Identify simple written & spoken personal information
Write personal information on a form
Make & respond to formal & informal introductions, greetings,
& polite expressions
Identify family members & tell basic characteristics
Use appropriate expressions to accept & decline offers
Physically & verbally express feelings, emotions, likes, &
dislikes
Respond to & ask simple wh interrogatives (What is your
name? Where are you from? Etc.)
Follow simple directions & instructions
Use simple colloquial expressions & idioms
Level 4 Low Intermediate
Engage in limited small talk in social & work situations
Describe family members & personal relationships
Verbally accept & decline offers
Orally respond to acceptance & rejection
Ask wh interrogatives
Use & interpret correct nonverbal skills when communicating
NOTES:
Level 5 High Intermediate

Engage in formal & informal conversations based on
everyday situations
Reword & paraphrase to communicate meaning
Explain common problems & solutions
Ask & provide directions & instructions
Ask & respond to common questions in present, past, &
future tense
Recognize a limited amount of common idiomatic expressions
Level 6 Advanced
Understand & participate in face-to-face conversations on
everyday subjects
Use appropriate language for social, academic, & life
situations
Identify bias, prejudice, or propaganda in oral messages &
print material
Recognize & use a limited amount of common idiomatic
expressions
Appropriately defend point of view or opinion in a discussion
Summarize ideas to communicate meaning
B. Telephone Skills
Demonstrate basic U.S. telephone use
Answer the telephone & respond or express lack of
understanding
Recognize & identify oral basic telephone vocabulary
Recognize basic emergency vocabulary & local 911
procedures
NOTES:

Use appropriate telephone greetings
Identify basic parts of a phone bill
Use basic emergency vocabulary & local 911 procedures
Answer incoming calls & respond or express lack of
understanding

Leave an oral message
Understand basic parts of a phone bill
Locate listings in yellow & white pages
Demonstrate ability to request operator assistance & use
911
B. Telephone Skills
Demonstrate ability to take a simple message
Demonstrate ability to communicate successfully by
telephone in everyday situations
Interpret phone bill
Demonstrate ability to use different types of telephones &
services
NOTES:

Demonstrate ability to take an accurate phone message &
respond to voicemail prompts
Demonstrate ability to give &d request information clearly by
telephone
Locate a variety of resources in telephone directories (maps,
government agencies, coupons)
Level 6 Advanced
Respond appropriately to automated phone systems
Take accurate written notes & give verbal reports from
recorded messages
Demonstrate ability to ask the phone company a question
about a phone bill
C. Health and Nutrition

State need for medical help (Im sick. My ___ hurts.)
Recognize words & identify major body parts, illnesses, &
injuries
Identify local medical facilities, workers, & signs
Recognize 911 emergency number
Identify basic foods
State need for an interpreter
NOTES:

Recognize & identify basic body parts
Recognize basic vocabulary relating to illness & accidents
Recognize basic health care vocabulary (doctor, nurse,
dentist, hospital, health department, clinic, emergency
room)
Request a doctors appointment; read an appointment card
Identify personal hygiene products & daily grooming
routines
Identify basic foods, food groups, & healthy eating habits
Locate & read expiration dates on food items

Identify body parts & the five senses
Define health care vocabulary (see above)
Request a doctors appointment, communicate symptoms &
injuries
Follow doctors instructions during an exam
Read & follow simple directions on medicine labels
Identify &d apply personal hygiene & grooming routines
Identify basic foods & food groups, including nutritional
information on food labels

Describe aches, pains, illnesses, injuries, dental problems, &
follow doctors instructions
Change or cancel a doctors appointment
Complete a medical history form
Read & interpret medical instructions for prescriptions & overthe-counter drugs
Compare services provided by local health facilities (ER vs.
health clinic vs. doctors office)
Recognize the importance of healthy eating & maintaining a
balanced diet & exercise program
NOTES:

Communicate effectively, using vocabulary related to doctors,
body parts, illnesses, injuries, treatments, & medications
Follow emergency procedures & complete medical forms &
accident reports
Recognize & apply practices relating to personal hygiene
Recognize requirements for immunizations
Fill out a simple insurance form (with assistance)
Read & interpret nutritional information on food labels, & plan
a balanced diet
Level 6 Advanced
Communicate effectively (orally & in writing) problems related
to nutrition & substance abuse, & identify where treatment
can be obtained
Ask for & give advice related to nutrition & good health habits
Fill out a simple insurance form without assistance
List local resources available for improving health & fitness
D. Time and Money

Recognizes cardinal & ordinal numbers
Tell time using analog & digital clocks
Recognize calendar vocabulary
Write dates in numeric form
Recognize U.S. currency & symbols for money
Read checks & money orders
NOTES:

Understand banking in the United States
Identify & use ordinal & cardinal numbers
Interpret clock time
Identify days, weeks, & months on a calendar
Convert dates to numeric form
Count, use, & exchange coins & currency
Write a check or use a debit card, & record it in a
checkbook

Plan a schedule of activities on a calendar
Count & make change accurately
Complete a check or money order
Identify common banking terms & services, & demonstrate
ability to use those services
Describe the process for obtaining secure number codes
Explain use of ATM machines & number code security
Understand credit card use & basic monthly cost for card
service
10
D. Time and Money

Identify amount of change; estimate cost, payments
Understand banking problems (overdrafts, insufficient funds)
Identify various banking opportunities
Identify budget planning strategies
Evaluate cost of maintaining a monthly credit card balance
NOTES:

Understand banking systems & terms (loans, interest rates,
investments, mortgages)
Demonstrate comprehension of time zones
Understand hidden cost associated with credit cards (yearly
fees, minimum charges, late charges, cash advances,
balance transfers, & other associated costs)
Level 6 Advanced
Reconcile a bank statement
Use banking terms & services
Develop a monthly budget
Read, understand, & reconcile credit card statements
11
E. Transportation and Travel

Identify types of transportation (bus, taxi, plane, ship, car,
bicycle)
Identify signs, using sight words & symbols (enter, exit, push,
pull)
Ask for & give simple oral directions (turn left, go straight,
next to)
Identify legal & safe driving practices (seat belts, child
restraint)
NOTES:

Identify transportation options, costs, schedules
Use vocabulary to ask for & give simple directions orally, in
writing, or using a map
Identify traffic signs, street signs, street names, & street
addresses
Continue learning legal & safe driving practices (bad
weather, properly maintained vehicle, etc.)

Understand procedures for arranging travel plans (buying
tickets, making reservations, etc.)
Read & understand traffic signs, street signs, street names,
& street addresses
Demonstrate ability to follow directions orally, in writing, or
using a map, using geological & directional terms (N,S,E,W,
turn left, right, 2 blocks, across from, etc.)
Continue learning legal & safe driving practices (DWI
consequences, moving & parking violations, passenger
safety, etc.)
Identify required documents related to transportation (drivers
license, passport, train & bus passes, proof of insurance,
vehicle tags & registration, etc.)
12

Demonstrate ability to arrange travel plans (buying tickets,
making reservations, etc.)
Continue learning to read & understand traffic signs, road
signs, highway signs (do not pass, steep hill next 2 miles,
exit signs, service signs, etc.)
Demonstrate ability to ask & give directions to various local
destinations orally, in writing, or using a map, using
geological & directional terms
Continue learning legal & safe driving practices (headlights,
windshield wipers, passing zones, pedestrian zones, school
zones, etc.)
Identify procedures to obtain required documents related to
transportation (drivers license, passport, train & bus passes,
proof of insurance, vehicle tags & registration, etc.)
NOTES:

Discuss transportation & travel competencies from previous
levels
Compare & contrast options for transportation or travel
(costs, time, comfort level, etc.)
Discuss responsibilities related to driving, transportation, &
travel (with emphasis on local laws & customs)
Demonstrate appropriate response when stopped by law
enforcement officers
Demonstrate ability to describe a transportation/travel
problem or request service (emergency roadside assistance,
auto accident, vehicle theft, lost directions, lost or stolen
documents, tickets, etc.)
Level 6 Advanced
Demonstrate ability to plan a trip or arrange transportation
(determining costs, schedules, what to pack, other
considerations)
Discuss common scenarios & appropriate responses when
stopped by law enforcement officers
Discuss common transportation/travel problems & possible
measures to combat or prevent them
13
F. Safety and Security

Identify safety procedures (biking, walking, etc.)
Respond to emergency procedures (fire, tornado, medical,
crime)
Identify warning symbols (poison, flammable, danger, carbon
dioxide, etc.)
NOTES:

Demonstrate emergency procedures at home, school, &
work (fire, tornado, crime, medical)
Interpret product label directions, warning signs, & symbols
Understand basic home & auto safety (car maintenance,
home heating)

Demonstrate understanding of safety & warning signs &
emergency procedures
Recognize & use vocabulary relating to alarm systems
(smoke detectors, house & car alarms)
Describe emergency procedures at home, school, & work
(fire, tornado, crime, medical)
14

Identify means of protection for self & family (alarms, sirens,
shelters, etc.)
Identify & report types of crime as a witness (burglary, rape,
domestic violence)
NOTES:

Report health & safety issues
Identify & report types of crimes as a witness or victim
Write a plan of action for emergency situations at home
Level 6 Advanced
Demonstrate an understanding of the responsibilities of
owning a gun
15
G. Consumer Education
Name & state the costs of basic items (food, clothing, rent,
etc.)
Recognize & identify orally basic food items
Recognize & interpret the concept of measurements (cup,
quart, gallon, pound, etc.)
Recognize & identify orally basic U.S. clothing items & sizes
(S, M, L, XL)
Identify types of housing & basic utilities (house, apartment,
mobile home; gas, water, electricity, telephone, cable TV,
etc.)
NOTES:

Identify grocery items, costs, coupons, & discount cards
Identify clothing tags & care instructions
Read & interpret sales ads & compare prices
Recognize & identify different types of housing & utility
companies
Identify different kinds of sales scams (phone, TV, Internet,
stores, sales flyers, checkout counter scanning)

Write a shopping list
Understand concept of comparative shopping
Ask for assistance from a store employee
Read & order from a restaurant menu
Understand U.S. shopping concepts (guarantees, warranties,
return policies, layaway plans, rebates, etc.)
Identify home maintenance & repair problems
Understand requirements for housing assistance
16
Level 4 - Low Intermediate
Calculate savings when comparative shopping
Calculate savings when using coupons
Ask for & make a consumer complaint
Fill out a store layaway plan form
Report & explain the need for household repairs
Interpret various types of insurance policies
NOTES:

Use classified ads to locate various types of housing
Read & understand rental agreements & housing contracts
(with assistance)
Compare & contrast ads, labels, & charts for specific goods
Compare & contrast various types of insurance policies (with
assistance)
Level 6 Advanced
Identify ways to economize in the household
Write a letter to the landlord, explaining the need for repairs
Write a letter to Better Business Bureau to file a consumer
complaint
17
H. Government and Community Resources

Identify basic government agencies (post office, health dept.,
town hall, etc.)
Identify local community services (hospital, police, fire,
schools, library, parks, etc.)
Identify basic post office procedures
Identify main & federal U.S. holidays and social customs
related to each holiday
Identify the current U.S. president and vice president
NOTES:

Locate government & community places, & understand
services provided
Purchase stamps; mail & address a letter & package
Understand the use of a post office box
Identify U.S. holidays & social customs related to each
holiday
Identify the current U.S. president, vice president, and
governor

Locate businesses, government, & community agencies
Describe purchase of money orders & registered letters
Contrast U.S. holidays with native country holidays
18

Locate businesses, government, & community agencies to
meet students needs
Use a variety of postal services
Describe main U.S. holidays & social customs
NOTES:

Locate & access community services & organizations
Understand trial by jury & other elements of court
Level 6 Advanced
Request & respond to business & government information
Understand U.S. system of government (3 branches, etc.)
Understand trial by jury & other elements of judicial system
19
I. Environment and the World

Identify seasons, weather, & weather emergencies
Locate the United States on a world map, Arkansas on a
U.S. map, and your city on an Arkansas map
Identify key elements of recycling procedures
NOTES:

Describe severe weather conditions, weather sirens, &
emergency responses
Find locations on state, U.S., & world maps
Understand recycling procedures

Describe various weather conditions & appropriate
preparation for weather emergencies
Read various temperatures & compare Fahrenheit to Celsius
Give directions from one location to another on a state map
20

Prepare for weather emergencies
Interpret maps & map keys for evacuation procedures
Describe procedures for basic disposal of large items
NOTES:

Describe the purpose of the Emergency Broadcast System
Describe maps & map keys for evacuation procedures
Describe recycling regulations & illegal dumping
Level 6 Advanced
Describe evacuation procedures & agencies available to help
in weather emergencies
Compare & contrast environmental issues
21
J. Family and Parenting

Identify family members (mother, father, son, daughter,
brother, sister, wife, husband)
Recognize K-12 public school requirements (enrollment,
registration, immunizations, attendance, punctuality, behavior,
assignments, testing, appropriate clothes)
Recognize proper care of children (food, shelter, hygiene, child
care, acceptable discipline, etc.)
NOTES:

Describe family members (mother, father, parent, son,
daughter, child, children, brother, sister, sibling, husband, wife,
spouse)
Locate local schools & follow enrollment procedures for
school-age children (registration, immunizations, attendance)
Understand parental responsibilities & legally acceptable
discipline (child abuse, negligence)
Understand importance of communication between home &
school (notices, fliers, report cards)
Keep records of family members important documents

Describe extended family members (uncle, aunt, cousin,
nephew, niece, grandparents, grandchildren, in-laws)
Communicate orally with childs school in response to a notice;
attend a parent/teacher conference or parent meeting
Explain compulsory school attendance rules
Locate area schools, & follow enrollment procedures & other
school regulations for children
Describe proper child care & acceptable & legal discipline
22

Demonstrate ability to communicate with school staff orally &
in writing (re: conferences, illnesses, bus problems, etc.)
Identify methods of actively participating in childs schooling
(volunteering in class or school, PTA organization, parent
meetings)
Compare & contrast U.S. laws regarding parenting practices to
laws of other countries
NOTES:

Demonstrate knowledge of U.S. educational system
(elementary, secondary, postsecondary, adult, continuing ed)
Identify means to access educational opportunities for children
& self (special programs, scholarships, extracurricular
activities)
Develop awareness of acceptable/unacceptable parenting &
disciplinary practices
Level 6 Advanced
Demonstrate ability to communicate with school staff in writing
(conferences, illness, bus problems)
activities)
23
ACADEMIC SKILLS
A. Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing
Listen & respond to one-step classroom directions &
instructions/signs (i.e., sit, stand, exit)
Recognize & respond to a limited number of isolated words &
phrases (Put the date , Put your name, etc.)
Respond to simple request for repetition
Use directionality left to right, up/down, top/bottom,
front/back
Recognize/say/match/trace/draw/copy basic shapes &
numbers (1-100)
Recognize/say/match/write basic colors (distinguish
light/dark)
Recognize/say/match/copy/write the letters of the English
alphabet
Demonstrate a developing comprehension of sound-symbol
correlation
Distinguish/read/write upper & lower case letters of the
alphabet
Recognize/say/match/read/use basic object names (i.e. in
the classroom, in the house, & at work)
Use a picture dictionary
Recognize/say/use/give personal information
Fill out personal information forms
Print name & write signature
Recognize/say/write/use basic sight vocabulary
Recognize/state/respond/read/write basic questions &
answers (i.e., Do you like? Yes/no; Whats your name?
My name is)
NOTES:
24

Listen & follow basic instructions/commands (come, call,
listen, say it again)
Repeat/give basic command/warning to another person
(Shut the door. Be careful.)
Listen & respond to short conversations orally & in writing
Express lack of understanding
Ask for help/repetition/speed of basic questions/statements
(I need help; Please repeat slowly, etc.)
Recognize simple immediate need words/phrases
Demonstrate basic reading comprehension (public signs,
forms, menus, etc.)
Preview & make basic predictions before reading simple
stories
Identify main idea in short simple paragraphs
Identify sequential order in predictable stories (first, second,
third)
Read simple tables/charts
Read/say/copy/write/use basic learned statements &
questions
Recognize/use punctuation in reading/writing (comma,
period, question mark, exclamation point)
Use bilingual and/or picture dictionary
Correctly spell/alphabetize simple words (2nd level box,
door, table; 3rd level each, house, shovel; 4th level
bellow, telephone)
Write upper & lower case letters; demonstrate appropriate
use of capitalization (Tuesday, June, Maria, English)
Write a basic description of a person, place, or thing
Write a basic short sentence dictation (2nd level I have
three cats. 3rd level I just gave my daughter some
money.)
Fill out simple forms/applications
Use a model to copy/compose a basic friendly letter &
address an envelope
Write a short narrative about simple everyday activities
(introduce basic journal writing)
NOTES:
25

Listen & follow simple instructions, directions, & commands
Listen & respond to basic conversations (familiar &
unfamiliar vocabulary)
Ask for help/repetition of question, explanation, meanings
or examples
Ask simple questions (who, what, whs)
Give simple explanations/instructions/commands/warnings
to another person
Orally describe a person, place, thing, or event
Read/write/use/respond to basic statements & questions
Correctly spell/alphabetize words (5th level believing,
enough, photograph, strength)
Use a basic English dictionary
Identify meanings of common prefixes & suffixes
Identify meanings of compound words
Preview & make simple predictions before reading
Identify simple main ideas & supporting details
Recognize sequential order of events in a paragraph (first,
then, finally)
Read & interpret simple charts, graphs, maps, & diagrams
(find the hospital on the map)
Change basic grammar in a paragraph
Write legibly in manuscript and/or cursive
Rewrite a simple sentence in proper word order
Write a brief description of a person, place, thing, or event
Compose a simple short paragraph with correct spacing
(develop journal writing)
Write short note to childs teacher/boss, friendly letters,
address envelopes
Write simple directions
NOTES:
26

Listen & follow instructions/ask for clarification if needed
Listen & respond appropriately to simple conversations
(familiar and unfamiliar vocabulary)
Continue conversation using tag questions (He doesnt feel
well, does he?)
Understand formal vs. informal vocabulary usage
(recognize/use appropriate local slang words)
Give clear instructions/directions/warnings to another person
Ask for repetition/explanation/examples
Summarize information orally/in writing
Preview, make predictions prior to reading
Skim & scan to locate designated information
Answer reading comprehension questions (who, what,
where, etc.)
Identify main idea in reading selection
Identify order of events
Identify cause & effect
Write simple, compound, & complex sentences
Write a set of directions
Write a short paragraph (continue basic journal writing)
Proofread & edit errors in sentences/paragraphs
Compose a friendly letter
Use a model to copy/compose/write a basic business letter
Address envelope properly with return address
Use an English dictionary effectively
Use basic note-taking during class/study time
NOTES:
27

Listen & follow directions
Ask for clarification
Give commands/directions/instructions/warnings to another
person
Paraphrase words or ideas in conversations
Use appropriate formal & informal vocabulary; idiomatic
expressions
Respond to interviews & presentations
Review/make predictions prior to reading selections
Identify main idea in reading passages
Use new vocabulary by context
Identify sequence of events
Distinguish fact from opinion
Skim & scan to locate needed information
Interpret diagrams, tables, graphs, & schedules
Use textbooks effectively
Use a dictionary effectively
Use simple note-taking strategies
Write complex & compound sentences
Write paragraphs (expand journal writing)
Compose a simple business letter (file a complaint)
Self-correct/edit personal writings
NOTES:
28

Level 6 - Advanced
Use responsive listening, paraphrasing, & summarizing
during conversations
Comprehend lectures & tests
Clarify meaning by asking relevant questions
Recognize & use idioms appropriately
Preview/make predictions prior to reading selections
Recognize/restate sequence of events
Distinguish fact from opinion; make inferences
Preview, skim, & scan text
Summarize a reading passage
Identify diagrams, tables, graphs, & schedules
Use dictionary & thesaurus effectively
Correctly spell words (8th level commercially, environmental,
psychology)
Demonstrate note-taking strategies
Use prewriting strategies (brainstorming, outlining, etc.)
Write two or more paragraphs that are focused & organized
Draft & revise a composition (introduction, body, conclusion)
Edit documents for spelling, punctuation, & grammar
Write for a purpose (business, memos, letters, reports)
NOTES:
29
B. Grammar Structures
Level 1 Literacy
NOTES:
Use subject pronouns (I, you, he, she, it, we, they)
Use common verbs (affirmative, negative, yes/no questions, &
short answers in the present & present continuous tenses: be,
have, do, go, want, need, eat, drink, study, learn, teach, work)
Use adverbs (here, there, today, always, usually, never, etc.)
Use demonstratives (this, that, these, those)
Use information questions (who, what, where, when)
Use common & proper nouns
Use prepositions (in, at, from, on, for, with, of, under, next to,
between, in front of, behind, etc.)
Use articles (a, an, the)
Use possessive adjectives (my, your, his, her, our, their)

Use common verbs (present, past, & future) & use modals
(can, may, will, must)
Use adjectives (demonstrative, possessive, descriptive)
Use prepositions
Use definite & indefinite articles (the, a, an)
Use common & proper nouns (singular & plural)
Use informative questions
Use adverbs (yesterday, tomorrow)
30
Use object & possessive pronouns (me, my, him, his, etc.)
Use common verbs & contracted forms (present, present
continuous, present perfect, past, & future), & use modals
(could, might, would, etc.)
Use information questions (who, what, where, when, why,
how)
Use adverbs of frequency, time, & location
Use prepositions
Use count & noncount nouns (dollar, money) & possessive
nouns (the cats tail)
Use sentence structures (subject, verb, object, affirmative,
negative, interrogative)
NOTES:

Use adjectives (including comparatives & superlatives),
adverbs (including place & manner), & prepositions in
complete sentences
Use verbs in the most common tenses (present, past, &
future; also with modals & conditionals)
Use prepositional phrases
Recognize & write declarative, interrogative, imperative, &
exclamatory sentences
Write compound & identify complex sentences
31
Use verbs (including continuous tenses & perfect tenses,
gerunds, participles, & infinitives)
Identify parts of speech, & use in sentences the different
types of nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, &
prepositions
Write compound sentences & some complex sentences in
active & passive voice
Write sentences with clauses & phrases
NOTES:
Level 6 Advanced
Use verbs in variety of tenses & forms
Identify all parts of speech & be able to use them in
sentences
Write compound & complex sentences in active & passive
voice
Write sentences with clauses, phrases, direct, & indirect
speech
32
C. Pronunciation
Level 1 Literacy
Produce consonant & vowel sounds
Recognize, state, & link letters & sounds
NOTES:

Produce sounds of the alphabet
Articulate the sounds associated with vowels & consonants
& ending sounds in words, including silent letters
Produce beginning, middle, & ending sounds in words

Recognize & produce consonant & vowel sounds, &
recognize their dictionary symbols
Produce beginning, middle, & ending sounds in words,
including silent letters
Produce sounds of s endings: s, z, iz (voiced/voiceless)
Produce sounds of past tense ed endings: t, d, id
Use appropriate rhythm & stress in phrases & simple
sentences
33
C. Pronunciation
Demonstrate auditory discrimination of vowels & selected
suffixes (d, t, ed, s, z)
Produce consonant sounds (blends, digraphs, hard & soft
pairs)
Use appropriate rhythm & stress in sentences
NOTES:

Produce stress & intonation in phrases & sentences
Produce consonant blends, diphthongs, & digraphs
Produce voiced & voiceless sounds
Level 6 Advanced
Reproduce consonant blends, diphthongs, & digraphs
34
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SKILLS

A. Obtaining Employment
Level 1 Literacy
Identify entry-level jobs & workplaces
Recognize procedures for applying for a job
Complete a simplified job application form with assistance
Respond to basic interview questions
Produce required forms of identification for employment
Recognize vocabulary related to job benefits
NOTES:

Identify different jobs with help-wanted ads
Describe personal work experience & skills
Fill out job applications
Identify W4 forms, Social Security, & income tax deductions

Recognize job titles & descriptions
Understand & use basic job-related vocabulary
Identify educational & job experience required for work
Use a variety of sources to look for job opportunities
Complete a job application
Write a rsum
Demonstrate proper behavior & image for job interviews
Complete a sample W4 form
35
Set short- and long-term occupational goals
Use a variety of sources to find job opportunities (Internet,
newspaper, employment agencies)
Create a professional rsum
Respond to interview questions
Demonstrate proper interview procedure (greeting,
questions from employer, questions from student, closing,
follow-up call, or letter)
Understand W2 & W4 forms, & complete a W4 form
NOTES:

Describe personal career goals & interests
Investigate training needed for a particular job
Complete job applications; write rsum & cover letter
Respond to interview questions, & demonstrate proper
behavior & image for a job interview
Understand job specifications, policies, standards, &
benefits
Level 6 Advanced
Set long-term goals & plan a career
Develop a portfolio that may include rsum, cover letter,
professional recognitions, awards, certificates, etc.
Understand & respond to want ads, job announcements,
employment agency ads
Present a positive image (dress, grooming, body language),
ask & answer a variety of questions in a job interview
simulation, & respond with a follow-up call or letter
Demonstrate understanding of job specifications, policies,
standards, & benefits, & complete IRS forms
36
B. Maintaining Employment
Level 1 Literacy
Recognize different industries work standards, requirements,
& rules
Ask for assistance & clarification on the job
Recognize safety procedures
Read a simple work schedule
Recognize pay stubs & deductions
NOTES:

Understand job employment expectations, rules,
regulations, & safety
Respond to basic instructions & ask for clarification
Recognize appropriate treatment of co-workers
Identify parts of a pay stub & deductions

Define & use the vocabulary for employment (salaries, hours,
benefits, sick days, vacation days)
Demonstrate understanding of work schedules, time clocks,
time sheets, punctuality, & phoning in sick
Follow generic work rules & safety procedures
Ask for clarification & provide feedback to instructions
Demonstrate appropriate communication skills in the work
environment (interactions with supervisor & co-workers
Read & interpret pay stub information
37
Demonstrate understanding of job tasks, policies, &
standards
Demonstrate understanding of pay, benefits, & payroll
deductions
Request schedule changes & other personal adjustments
environment (interactions with supervisors & co-workers)
Identify common safety procedures appropriate to the job
NOTES:

Demonstrate understanding of U.S. work ethic (appropriate
behavior, attire, attitudes, & social interactions that affect
job performance)
Demonstrate basic problem-solving skills in the workplace
Compare & contrast job tasks, responsibilities, & levels of
training
Demonstrate understanding of workers rights
(compensation, unionization, right to work)
Identify OSHA safety procedures at work
Level 6 Advanced
behavior attire, attitudes, & social interactions that affect job
retention)
Communicate with supervisor & co-workers, orally & in
writing, regarding work-related tasks & problems: write
memos, report forms, etc.; give & follow instructions; ask/
respond to apologies/criticism; identify problems, solutions,
consequences
Demonstrate an understanding of work performance
evaluations
Demonstrate an understanding & discuss workers rights
Demonstrate an understanding of safety procedures (Right
to Know, OSHA)
38
C. Career Advancement and Accessing Technology

Level 1 Literacy
Identify job promotion requirements
Set educational & professional goals
Recognize the importance of interpersonal communication
skills on the job
Use basic test-taking strategies (circle, bubble in, multiple
choice, matching, etc.)
Explore personal resources & networks that can aid in
achieving goals
Demonstrate English skills necessary to access applied
technology by operating key technology equipment at home,
school, & work
NOTES:

Demonstrate interpersonal communication skills
Demonstrate patience, perseverance, & a positive attitude
Set time frames for chosen goals
Explore educational pathways for attaining desired goals
school, & work

Define vocabulary for transfers, promotions, & incentives
Identify skills & education necessary for promotion
Set short-term goals that align with long-term goals
Identify job evaluations for promotions & retention
Review necessary documentation to apply for educational
admission or financial aid (with assistance)
Demonstrate attire, attitudes, & interpersonal interaction for
promotion
school, & work
39

Explore career options through a variety of resources (GED,
vocational training, community colleges, on-the-job training)
Periodically evaluate goal progress
Maintain a file of important work documents & evaluations for
future reference
Identify ways to supplement income (promotions, transfers,
pay raises, job changes)
Recognize the relationship between initiative & advancement
Take tests of varying formats
school, & work
NOTES:

Identify additional ways to supplement income
Explore on-the-job training & continuing education
Recognize the relationship between attendance, loyalty, work
evaluations, & job promotion
Develop a list of professional & character references
Evaluate & adjust goals if life events dictate delays
school, & work
Level 6 Advanced
Understand job advancement, job postings, & vacant listings
Update resume & locate career advancement services
Write an action plan for achieving goals
Request a promotion or raise & identify personal strengths &
weaknesses
Identify stress factors associated with new challenges
Demonstrate ability to apply a variety of test-taking strategies
school, & work
40
IV. National Reporting System Proficiency Levels

I. LIFE SKILLS
Use appropriate greetings, introductions, & farewells
Identify self & give personal information
Use & respond to polite expressions
Recognize basic colloquial expressions & idioms (Turn on
the light. Whats up?)
NOTES:
B. Telephone Skills
Demonstrate basic U.S. telephone use
Answer the telephone & respond, or express lack of
understanding
Recognize & identify orally basic telephone vocabulary
Recognize basic emergency vocabulary & local 911
procedures

State need for medical help (Im sick. My ___ hurts.)
Recognize words, & identify major body parts, illnesses, &
injuries
Identify local medical facilities, workers, & signs
Recognize 911 emergency number
Identify basic foods
State need for an interpreter
41

D. Time and Money
Recognize cardinal & ordinal numbers
Tell time, using analog & digital clocks
Recognize calendar vocabulary
Write dates in numeric form
Recognize U.S. currency & symbols for money
Read checks & money orders
NOTES:

Identify types of transportation (bus, taxi, plane, ship, car,
bicycle)
Identify signs using sight words & symbols (enter, exit, push,
pull)
Ask for & give simple oral directions (turn left, go straight,
next to)
Identify legal & safe driving practices (seat belts, child
restraint)

Identify safety procedures (biking, walking, etc.)
Respond to emergency procedures (fire, tornado, medical,
crime)
Identify warning symbols (poison, flammable, danger, carbon
dioxide, etc.)
42

Name & state the costs of basic items (food, clothing, rent,
etc.)
Recognize & orally identify basic food items
Recognize & interpret the concept of measurements (cup,
quart, gallon, pound, etc.)
Recognize & orally identify basic U.S. clothing items & sizes
(S, M, L, XL)
Identify types of housing & basic utilities (house, apartment,
mobile home; gas, water, electricity, telephone, cable TV,
etc.)
NOTES:

Identify basic government agencies (post office, health dept.,
town hall, etc.)
Identify local community services (hospital, police, fire,
schools, library, parks, etc.)
Identify basic post office procedures
Identify main and federal U.S. holidays & social customs
related to each holiday
Identify the current U.S. president & vice president

Identify seasons, weather, & weather emergencies
Locate the United States on a world map, Arkansas on a
U.S. map, and your city on an Arkansas map
Identify key elements of recycling procedures
43

Identify family members (mother, father, son, daughter,
brother, sister, wife, husband)
Recognize K-12 public school requirements (enrollment,
registration, immunizations, attendance, punctuality, behavior,
assignments, testing, appropriate clothes)
Recognize proper care of children (food, shelter, hygiene, child
care, acceptable discipline, etc.)
NOTES:
II. ACADEMIC SKILLS

Listen & respond to one-step classroom directions &
instructions/signs (i.e., sit, stand, exit)
Recognize & respond to a limited number of isolated words &
phrases (Put the date , Put your name, etc.)
Respond to simple requests for repetition
Use directionality left to right, up/down, top/bottom,
front/back
Recognize/say/match/trace/draw/copy basic shapes &
numbers (1-100)
Recognize/say/match/write basic colors (distinguish
light/dark)
Recognize/say/match/copy/write the letters of the English
alphabet
Demonstrate a developing comprehension of sound-symbol
correlation
Distinguish/read/write upper & lower case letters of the
alphabet
Recognize/say/match/read/use basic object names (i.e, in
the classroom, in the house, & at work)
Use a picture dictionary
Recognize/say/use/give personal information
Fill out personal information forms
Print name & write signature
Recognize/say/write/use basic sight vocabulary
Recognize/state/respond/read/write basic questions &
answers (i.e., Do you like? Yes/no; Whats your name?
My name is)
NOTES:
44

Use common verbs (affirmative, negative, yes/no questions, &
short answers in the present & present continuous tenses: be,
have, do, go, want, need, eat, drink, study, learn, teach, work,
etc.)
Use adverbs (here, there, today, always, usually, never, etc.)
Use demonstratives (this, that, these, those)
Use information questions (who, what, where, when)
Use common & proper nouns
Use prepositions (in, at, from, on, for, with, of, under, next to,
between, in front of, behind, etc.)
Use articles (a, an, the)
Use possessive adjectives (my, your, his, her, our, their)
NOTES:
C. Pronunciation
Produce consonant & vowel sounds
Recognize, state, & link letters & sounds
45

III. WORKPLACE DEVELOPMENT SKILLS
Identify entry-level jobs & workplaces
Recognize procedures for applying for a job
Complete a simplified job application form with assistance
Respond to basic interview questions
Recognize vocabulary related to job benefits
NOTES:
Recognize different industries work standards, requirements,
& rules
Ask for assistance & clarification on the job
Recognize safety procedures
Read a simple work schedule
Recognize pay stubs & deductions

Set educational & professional goals
Recognize the importance of interpersonal communication
skills on the job
Use basic test-taking strategies (circle, bubble in, multiple
choice, matching, etc.)
Explore personal resources & networks that can aid in
achieving goals
school, & work
46

I. LIFE SKILLS
Report personal information
Make formal & informal greetings, introductions, & farewells
Orally express likes, dislikes, feelings, & emotions
Recognize appropriate offers & invitations (drinks, movies,
gifts)
Recognize colloquial expressions & idioms
NOTES:
B. Telephone Communication
Use appropriate telephone greetings
Identify basic parts of a phone bill
Use basic emergency vocabulary & local 911 procedures
Answer incoming calls & respond, or express lack of
understanding

Recognize & identify basic body parts
Recognize basic vocabulary relating to illness & accidents
Recognize basic health care vocabulary (doctor, nurse,
dentist, hospital, health department, clinic, emergency
room)
Request a doctors appointment & read an appointment
card
Identify personal hygiene products & daily grooming
routines
Identify basic foods, food groups, & healthy eating habits
Locate & read expiration dates on food items
47

D. Time and Money
Understand banking in the United States
Identify & use ordinal & cardinal numbers
Interpret clock time
Identify days, weeks, & months on a calendar
Convert dates to numeric form
Count, use, & exchange coins & currency
Write a check, or use a debit card & record it in a
checkbook
NOTES:

Identify transportation options, costs, schedules
Use vocabulary to ask for & give simple directions orally, in
writing, or using a map
Identify traffic signs, street signs, street names, & street
addresses
Continue learning legal & safe driving practices (bad
weather, properly maintained vehicle, etc.)

Demonstrate emergency procedures at home, school, &
work (fire, tornado, crime, medical)
Interpret product label directions, warning signs, & symbols
Understand basic home & auto safety (car maintenance,
home heating)
48

Identify grocery items, costs, coupons, & discount cards
Identify clothing tags & care instructions
Read & interpret sales ads & compare prices
Recognize & identify different types of housing & utility
companies
Identify different kinds of sales scams (phone, TV, Internet,
stores, sales fliers, checkout counter scanning)
NOTES:

Locate government & community places, & understand
services provided
Purchase stamps; mail & address a letter & package
Understand the use of a post office box
Identify U.S. holidays & social customs related to each
holiday
Identify the current U.S. president, vice president, &
governor

Describe severe weather conditions, weather sirens, &
emergency responses
Find locations on state, U.S., & world maps
Understand recycling procedures
49

Describe family members (mother, father, parent, son,
daughter, child, children, brother, sister, sibling, husband, wife,
spouse)
Locate local schools & follow enrollment procedures for
school-age children (registration, immunizations, attendance)
Understand parental responsibilities & legally acceptable
discipline (child abuse, negligence)
Understand importance of communication between home &
school (notices, fliers, report cards)
Keep records of family members important documents
NOTES:
50

II. ACADEMIC SKILLS
Listen & follow basic instructions/commands (come, call,
listen, say it again)
Repeat/give basic command/warning to another person
(Shut the door. Be careful.)
Listen & respond to short conversations orally & in writing
Express lack of understanding
Ask for help/repetition/speed of basic questions/statements
(I need help; Please repeat slowly, etc.)
Recognize simple immediate need words/phrases
Demonstrate basic reading comprehension (public signs,
forms, menus, etc.)
Preview & make basic predictions before reading simple
stories
Identify main idea in short simple paragraphs
Identify sequential order in predictable stories (first, second,
third)
Read simple tables/charts
Read/say/copy/write/use basic learned statements &
questions
Recognize/use punctuation in reading/writing (comma,
period, question mark, exclamation point)
Use bilingual and/or picture dictionary
Correctly spell/alphabetize simple words (2nd level box,
door, table; 3rd level each, house, shovel; 4th level
bellow, telephone)
Write upper & lower case letters, demonstrate appropriate
use of capitalization (Tuesday, June, Maria, English)
Write a basic description of a person, place, or thing
Write a basic short sentence from dictation (2nd level I
have three cats. 3rd level I just gave my daughter some
money.)
Fill out simple forms/applications
Use a model to copy/compose a basic friendly letter &
address an envelope
Write a short narrative about simple everyday activities, etc.
(introduce basic journal writing)
NOTES:
51

Use common verbs (present, past, & future) & modals (can,
may, will, must)
Use prepositions
Use definite & indefinite articles (the, a, an)
Use common & proper nouns (singular & plural)
Use informative questions
Use adverbs (yesterday, tomorrow)
NOTES:
C. Pronunciation
Produce sounds of the alphabet
Articulate the sounds associated with vowels & consonants
& ending sounds in words, including silent letters
Produce beginning, middle, & ending sounds in words

Identify different jobs with help-wanted ads
Describe personal work experience & skills
Fill out job applications
Identify W4 forms, Social Security, & income tax deductions
NOTES:
52

Understand job employment expectations, rules,
regulations, & safety
Respond to basic instructions & ask for clarification
Recognize appropriate treatment of co-workers
Identify parts of a pay stub & deductions
NOTES:

Demonstrate interpersonal communication skills
Demonstrate patience, perseverance, & a positive attitude
Set time frames for chosen goals
Explore educational pathways for attaining desired goals
technology by operating key technology equipment at
home, school, & work
53

I. LIFE SKILLS
Identify simple written & spoken personal information
Write personal information on a form
Make & respond to formal & informal introductions, greetings,
& polite expressions
Identify family members & tell basic characteristics
Use appropriate expressions to accept & decline offers
Physically & verbally express feelings, emotions, likes, &
dislikes
Respond to & ask simple wh interrogatives (What is your
name? Where are you from?)
Follow simple directions & instructions
Use simple colloquial expressions & idioms
NOTES:
Leave an oral message
Understand basic parts of a phone bill
Locate listings in yellow & white pages
Demonstrate ability to request operator assistance & use
911

Identify body parts & the five senses
Define health care vocabulary (see above)
Request a doctors appointment; communicate symptoms &
injuries
Follow doctors instructions during an exam
Read & follow simple directions on medicine labels
Identify & apply personal hygiene & grooming routines
Identify basic foods & food groups, including nutritional
information on food labels
54

D. Time and Money
Plan a schedule of activities on a calendar
Count & make change accurately
Complete a check or money order
Identify common banking terms & services, & demonstrate
ability to use those services
Describe the process for obtaining secure number codes
Explain the use of ATM machines & number code security
Understand credit card use & basic monthly cost for card
service
NOTES:

Understand procedures for arranging travel plans (buying
tickets, making reservations, etc.)
Read & understand traffic signs, street signs, street names,
& street addresses
Demonstrate ability to follow directions orally, in writing, or
using a map, using geological & directional terms (N,S,E,W,
turn left, right, 2 blocks, across from, etc.)
Continue learning legal & safe driving practices (DWI
consequences, moving & parking violations, passenger
safety, etc.)
Identify required documents related to transportation (drivers
license, passport, train & bus passes, proof of insurance,
vehicle tags & registration, etc.)

Demonstrate understanding of safety & warning signs &
emergency procedures
Recognize & use vocabulary relating to alarm systems
(smoke detectors, house & car alarms)
55

Write a shopping list
Understand concept of comparative shopping
Ask for assistance from a store employee
Read & order from a restaurant menu
Understand U.S. shopping concepts (guarantees, warranties,
return policies, layaway plans, rebates, etc.)
Identify home maintenance & repair problems
Understand requirements for housing assistance
NOTES:

Locate businesses, government, & community agencies
Describe purchase of money orders & registered letters
Contrast U.S. holidays with native country holidays

Describe various weather conditions & appropriate
preparation for weather emergencies
Read various temperatures & compare Fahrenheit to Celsius
Give directions from one location to another on a state map

Describe extended family members (uncle, aunt, cousin,
nephew, niece, grandparents, grandchildren, in-laws)
Communicate orally with childs school in response to a notice;
attend a parent/teacher conference or parent meeting
Explain compulsory school attendance rules
Locate area schools, & follow enrollment procedures & other
school regulations for children
Describe proper child care & acceptable & legal discipline
56

II. ACADEMIC SKILLS
Listen and follow simple instructions, directions, &
commands
Listen & respond to basic conversations (familiar &
unfamiliar vocabulary)
Ask for help/repetition of question, explanation, meanings,
or examples
Ask simple questions (Who, what, whs)
Give simple explanations/instructions/commands/warnings
to another person
Orally describe a person, place, thing, or event
Read /write/use/respond to basic statements & questions
Correctly spell/alphabetize words (5th level believing,
enough, photograph, strength)
Use a basic English dictionary
Identify meanings of common prefixes & suffixes
Identify meanings of compound words
Preview & make simple predictions before reading
Identify simple main ideas & supporting details
Recognize sequential order of events in a paragraph (first,
then, finally)
Read & interpret simple charts, graphs, maps, & diagrams
(find the hospital on the map)
Change basic grammar in a paragraph
Write legibly in manuscript and/or cursive
Rewrite a simple sentence in proper word order
Write a brief description of a person, place, thing, or event
Compose a simple short paragraph with correct spacing
(develop journal writing)
Write short note to childs teacher/boss, friendly letters;
address envelopes
Write simple directions
NOTES:
57

Use object & possessive pronouns (me, my, him, his, etc.)
Use common verbs & contracted forms (present, present
continuous, present perfect, past, & future) and modals
(could, might, would, etc.)
Use information questions (who, what, where, when, why,
how)
Use adverbs of frequency, time, & location
Use prepositions
Use count & noncount nouns (dollar, money) & possessive
nouns (the cats tail)
Use sentence structures (subject, verb, object, affirmative,
negative, interrogative)
NOTES:
C. Pronunciation
Recognize & produce consonant & vowel sounds, &
recognize their dictionary symbols
Produce beginning, middle, & ending sounds in words,
including silent letters
Produce sounds of s endings: s, z, iz (voiced/voiceless)
Produce sounds of past tense ed endings: t, d, id
Use appropriate rhythm & stress in phrases & simple
sentences
58

Recognize job titles & descriptions
Understand & use basic job-related vocabulary
Identify educational & job experience required for work
Use a variety of sources to look for job opportunities
Write a rsum
Demonstrate proper behavior & image for job interviews
Complete sample W4 form
NOTES:
Define & use the vocabulary for employment (salaries, hours,
benefits, sick days, vacation days)
Demonstrate understanding of work schedules, time clocks,
time sheets, punctuality, & phoning in sick
Follow generic work rules & safety procedures
Ask for clarification & provide feedback to instructions
environment (interactions with supervisor & co-workers)
Read & interpret pay stub information

Define vocabulary for transfers, promotions, & incentives
Identify skills & education necessary for promotion
Set short-term goals that align with long-term goals
Identify job evaluations for promotions & retention
Review necessary documentation to apply for educational
admission or financial aid (with assistance)
Demonstrate attire, attitudes, & interpersonal interaction for
promotion
school, & work
59

I. LIFE SKILLS
Engage in limited small talk in social & work situations
Describe family members & personal relationships
Verbally accept & decline offers
Orally respond to acceptance & rejection
Ask wh interrogatives
Use & interpret correct nonverbal skills when communicating
NOTES:
Demonstrate ability to take a simple message
Demonstrate ability to communicate successfully by
telephone in everyday situations
Interpret phone bill
Demonstrate ability to use different types of telephones &
services

Describe aches, pains, illnesses, injuries, & dental problems,
& follow doctors instructions
Change or cancel a doctors appointment
Complete a medical history form
Read & interpret medical instructions for prescriptions & overthe-counter drugs
Compare services provided by local health facilities (ER vs.
health clinic vs. doctors office)
Recognize the importance of healthy eating & maintaining a
balanced diet and exercise program
60

D. Time and Money
Identify amount of change; estimate cost, payments
Understand banking problems (overdrafts, insufficient funds)
Identify various banking opportunities
Identify budget-planning strategies
Evaluate cost of maintaining a monthly credit card balance
NOTES:

Demonstrate ability to arrange travel plans (buying tickets,
making reservations, etc.)
Continue learning to read & understand traffic signs, road
signs, highway signs (do not pass, steep hill next 2 miles,
exit signs, service signs, etc.)
Demonstrate ability to ask & give directions to various local
destinations orally, in writing, or using a map using
geological and directional terms
Continue learning legal & safe driving practices (headlights,
windshield wipers, passing zones, pedestrian zones, school
zones, etc.)
Identify procedures to obtain required documents related to
transportation (drivers license, passport, train & bus passes,
proof of insurance, vehicle tags & registration, etc.)

Identify means of protection for self & family (alarms, sirens,
shelters, etc.)
Identify & report types of crime as a witness (burglary, rape,
domestic violence)
61

Calculate savings when comparative shopping
Calculate savings when using coupons
Ask for & make a consumer complaint
Fill out a store layaway plan form
Report & explain the need for household repairs
Interpret various types of insurance policies
NOTES:

Locate businesses, government, & community agencies to
meet students needs
Use a variety of postal services

Prepare for weather emergencies
Interpret maps & map keys for evacuation procedures
Describe procedures for basic disposal of large items
62

Identify methods of actively participating in childs schooling
(volunteering in class or school, PTA organization, parent
meetings)
Compare & contrast U.S. laws regarding parenting practices to
laws of other countries
NOTES:
II. ACADEMIC SKILLS

Listen & follow instructions; ask for clarification if needed
Listen & respond appropriately to simple conversations
(familiar and unfamiliar vocabulary)
Continue conversation, using tag questions (He doesnt feel
well, does he?)
Understand formal vs. informal vocabulary usage
(recognize/use appropriate local slang words)
Give clear instructions/directions/warnings to another person
Ask for repetition/explanation/examples
Summarize information orally/in writing
Preview, make predictions prior to reading
Skim & scan to locate designated information
Answer reading comprehension questions (who, what,
where, etc)
Identify main idea in reading selection
Identify order of events
Identify cause & effect
Write simple, compound, & complex sentences
Write a set of directions
Write a short paragraph (continue basic journal writing)
Proofread & edit errors in sentences/paragraphs
Compose a friendly letter
Use a model to copy/compose/write a basic business letter
Address envelope properly with return address
Use an English dictionary effectively
Use basic note-taking during class/study time
63

Use adjectives (including comparatives & superlatives),
adverbs (including place & manner), & prepositions in
complete sentences
Use verbs in the most common tenses (present, past, &
future; also with modals & conditionals)
Use prepositional phrases
Recognize & write declarative, interrogative, imperative, &
exclamatory sentences
Write & identify compound & complex sentences
NOTES:
C. Pronunciation
Demonstrate auditory discrimination of vowels & selected
suffixes (d, t, ed, s, z)
Produce consonant sounds (blends, digraphs, hard & soft
pairs)
Use appropriate rhythm & stress in sentences
64

Set short- and long-term occupational goals
Use a variety of sources to find job opportunities (Internet,
newspaper, employment agencies)
Create a professional rsum
Respond to interview questions
Demonstrate proper interview procedure (greeting,
questions from employer, questions from student, closing,
follow-up call or letter)
Understand W2 & W4 forms, & complete a W4 form
NOTES:
Demonstrate understanding of job tasks, policies, &
standards
Demonstrate understanding of pay, benefits, & payroll
deductions
Request schedule changes & other personal adjustments
environment (interactions with supervisors & co-workers).
Identify common safety procedures appropriate to the job

Explore career options through a variety of resources (GED,
vocational training, community colleges, on-the-job-training)
Periodically evaluate goal progress
Maintain a file of important work documents & evaluations for
future reference
Identify ways to supplement income (promotions, transfers,
pay raises, job changes)
Recognize the relationship between initiative & advancement
Take tests of varying formats
school, & work
65

I. LIFE SKILLS
Engage in formal & informal conversations based on
everyday situations
Reword & paraphrase to communicate meaning
Explain common problems & solutions
Ask & provide directions & instructions
Ask & respond to common questions in present, past, &
future tense
Recognize a limited amount of common idiomatic expressions
NOTES:
Demonstrate ability to take an accurate phone message &
respond to voicemail prompts
Demonstrate ability to give & request information clearly by
telephone
Locate a variety of resources in telephone directories (maps,
government agencies, coupons)

Communicate effectively, using vocabulary related to doctors,
body parts, illnesses, injuries, treatments, & medications
Follow emergency procedures, & complete medical forms &
accident reports
Recognize requirements for immunizations
Fill out a simple insurance form (with assistance)
Read & interpret nutritional information on food labels & plan
a balanced diet
66

D. Time and Money
Understand banking systems & terms (loans, interest rates,
investments, mortgages)
Demonstrate comprehension of time zones
Understand hidden cost associated with credit cards (yearly
fees, minimum charges, late charges, cash advances,
balance transfers, & other associated costs)
NOTES:

Discuss transportation & travel competencies from previous
levels
Compare & contrast options for transportation or travel
(costs, time, comfort level, etc.)
Discuss responsibilities related to driving, transportation, &
travel (with emphasis on local laws & customs)
Demonstrate appropriate response when stopped by law
enforcement officers
Demonstrate ability to describe a transportation/travel
problem or request service (emergency roadside assistance,
auto accident, vehicle theft, lost directions, lost or stolen
documents, tickets, etc.)

Report health & safety issues
Identify & report types of crimes as a witness or victim
Write a plan of action for emergency situations at home
67

Use classified ads to locate various types of housing
Read & understand rental agreements & housing contracts
(with assistance)
Compare & contrast ads, labels, & charts for specific goods
Compare & contrast various types of insurance policies (with
assistance)
NOTES:

Locate & access community services & organizations
Understand trial by jury & other elements of court

Describe the purpose of the Emergency Broadcast System
Describe maps & map keys for evacuation procedures
Describe recycling regulations & illegal dumping

activities)
68

II. ACADEMIC SKILLS
Listen & follow directions
Ask for clarification
Give commands/directions/instructions/warnings to another
person
Paraphrase words or ideas in conversations
Use appropriate formal & informal vocabulary, idiomatic
expressions
Respond to interviews & presentations
Review/make predictions prior to reading selections
Identify main idea in reading passages
Use new vocabulary by context
Identify sequence of events
Distinguish fact from opinion
Skim & scan to locate needed information
Interpret diagrams, tables, graphs, & schedules
Use a dictionary effectively
Use simple note-taking strategies
Write complex & compound sentences
Write paragraphs (expand journal writing)
Compose a simple business letter (file a complaint)
Self-correct/edit personal writings
NOTES:
69

Use verbs (including continuous & perfect tenses, gerunds,
participles, & infinitives)
Identify parts of speech, & use in sentences the different
types of nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, &
prepositions
Write compound sentences & some complex sentences in
active & passive voice
Write sentences with clauses & phrases
NOTES:
C. Pronunciation
Produce consonant blends, diphthongs, &d digraphs

Describe personal career goals & interests
Investigate training needed for a particular job
Complete job applications; write rsum & cover letter
Respond to interview questions, & demonstrate proper
behavior & image for a job interview
Understand job specifications, policies, standards, &
benefits
NOTES:
70

job performance)
Demonstrate basic problem-solving skills in the workplace
Compare & contrast job tasks, responsibilities, & levels of
training
Demonstrate understanding of workers rights
Identify OSHA safety procedures at work
NOTES:

Identify additional ways to supplement income
Explore on-the-job training & continuing education
Recognize the relationship between attendance, loyalty, work
evaluations, & job promotion
Develop a list of professional & character references
Evaluate & adjust goals if life events dictate delays
school, & work
71

Level 6 Advanced
I. LIFE SKILLS
Understand & participate in face-to-face conversations on
everyday subjects
Use appropriate language for social, academic, & life
situations
Identify bias, prejudice, or propaganda in oral messages &
print material
Recognize & use a limited amount of common idiomatic
expressions
Appropriately defend point of view or opinion in a discussion
Summarize ideas to communicate meaning
NOTES:
Respond appropriately to automated phone systems
Take accurate written notes & give verbal reports from
recorded messages
Demonstrate ability to ask the phone company a question
about a phone bill

Communicate effectively (orally & in writing) problems related
to nutrition & substance abuse, & identify where treatment
can be obtained
Ask for & give advice related to nutrition & good health habits
Fill out a simple insurance form without assistance
List local resources available for improving health & fitness
72
Level 6 Advanced
D. Time and Money
Reconcile a bank statement
Use banking terms & services
Develop a monthly budget
Read, understand, & reconcile credit card statements
NOTES:

Demonstrate ability to plan a trip or arrange transportation
(determining costs, schedules, what to pack, other
considerations)
Discuss common scenarios & appropriate responses when
stopped by law enforcement officers
Discuss common transportation/travel problems & possible
measures to combat or prevent them

Demonstrate an understanding of the responsibilities of
owning a gun
Identify ways to economize in the household
Write a letter to the landlord explaining the need for repairs
Write a letter to Better Business Bureau to file a consumer
complaint
NOTES:
73
Level 6 Advanced
Request & respond to business & government information
Understand U.S. system of government (3 branches, etc.)
Understand trial by jury & other elements of judicial system
NOTES:

Describe evacuation procedures & agencies available to help
in weather emergencies
Compare & contrast environmental issues

Demonstrate ability to communicate with school staff in writing
(conferences, illness, bus problems)
activities)
74
Level 6 Advanced
II. ACADEMIC SKILLS
Use responsive listening, paraphrasing, & summarizing
during conversations
Comprehend lectures & tests
Clarify meaning by asking relevant questions
Recognize & use idioms appropriately
Preview/make predictions prior to reading selections
Recognize/restate sequence of events
Distinguish fact from opinion; make inferences
Preview, skim, & scan text
Summarize a reading passage
Identify diagrams, tables, graphs, & schedules
Use dictionary & thesaurus effectively
Correctly spell words (8th level commercially, environmental,
psychology)
Demonstrate note-taking strategies
Use pre-writing strategies (brainstorming, outlining, etc.)
Write two or more paragraphs that are focused & organized
Draft & revise a composition (introduction, body, conclusion)
Edit documents for spelling, punctuation, & grammar
Write for a purpose (business, memos, letters, reports)
NOTES:
75
Level 6 Advanced
Use verbs in a variety of tenses & forms
Identify all parts of speech & be able to use them in
sentences
Write compound & complex sentences in active & passive
voice
Write sentences with clauses, phrases, direct & indirect
speech
NOTES:
C. Pronunciation
Reproduce consonant blends, diphthongs, & digraphs

Set long-term goals * plan a career
Develop a portfolio that may include rsum, cover letter,
professional recognitions, awards, certificates, etc.
Understand & respond to want ads, job announcements,
employment agency ads
Present a positive image (dress, grooming, body language),
ask & answer a variety of questions in a job interview
simulation, & respond with a follow-up call or letter
Demonstrate understanding of job specifications, policies,
standards, & benefits, & complete IRS forms
NOTES:
76
Level 6 Advanced
job retention)
Communicate with supervisor & co-workers, orally & in
writing, regarding work-related tasks & problems: write
memos, report forms, etc.; give & follow instructions;
ask/respond to apologies/criticism; identify problems,
solutions, consequences
Demonstrate an understanding of work performance
evaluations
Demonstrate an understanding & discuss workers rights
Demonstrate an understanding of safety procedures (Right
to Know, OSHA)
NOTES:

Understand job advancement, job postings, & vacant listings
Update resume & locate career advancement services
Write an action plan for achieving goals
Request a promotion or raise & identify personal strengths &
weaknesses
Identify stress factors associated with new challenges
Demonstrate ability to apply a variety of test-taking strategies
school, & work
77
Appendix A: NRS Educational Functioning Levels for ESL Effective July 1, 2006
Literacy Level
Speaking & Listening
Basic Reading & Writing
Functional & Workplace Skills
Beginning ESL Literacy

Test benchmark:
(SPL 0-1)
Oral BEST: 0-15
BEST Plus: 400 & below
Literacy BEST: 0-7
CASAS scale scores
Reading: 180 & below
Listening: 180 & below
Individual cannot speak or

understand English or
understands only isolated
words or very simple learned
phrases.
Individual has no or minimal

reading or writing skills in any
language. May be able to
recognize and copy letters,
numbers, & a few words (e.g.,
own name). May have little or
no comprehension of how print
corresponds to spoken
language. May have difficulty
using a writing instrument.
Individual functions minimally or not at

all in English & can communicate only
through gestures or a few isolated
words. May recognize only common
words, signs, or symbols (e.g., name,
stop sign, product logos). Can handle
only very routine entry-level jobs that
do not require oral or written
communication in English. May have
no knowledge or use of computers.
Individual can understand basic

greetings, simple phrases, &
commands. Can understand
simple questions related to
personal information, spoken
slowly & with repetition.
Understands a limited number
of words related to immediate
needs and can respond with
simple learned phrases to some
common questions related to
routine survival situations.
Speaks slowly & with difficulty.
Demonstrates little or no control
over grammar.
Individual can read numbers

and letters & some common
sight words. May be able to
sound out simple words. Can
read & write some familiar
words & phrases, but has a
limited understanding of
connected prose in English.
Can write basic personal
information (e.g., name,
address, telephone number), &
can complete simple forms that
elicit this information.
Individual functions with difficulty in

social situations & in situations related
to immediate needs. Can provide
limited personal information on simple
forms, & can read very simple
common forms of print found in the
home & environment, such as product
names. Can handle routine entrylevel jobs that require very simple
written or oral English communication
& in which job tasks can be
demonstrated. May have limited
knowledge & experience with
computers.
Low Beginning ESL

Test benchmark:
(SPL 2)
Oral BEST: 16-28
BEST Plus: 401-417
Literacy BEST: 8-35
CASAS scale scores
Reading: 181-190
Listening: 181-190
Writing: 136-145
Literacy Level
High Beginning ESL

Test benchmark:
(SPL 3)
Oral BEST: 29-41
BEST Plus: 418-438
Literacy BEST: 36-46
CASAS scale scores:
Reading: 191-200
Listening: 191-200
Writing: 146-200
Individual can understand

common words, simple
phrases, & sentences
containing familiar vocabulary,
spoken slowly with some
repetition. Can respond to
simple questions about
personal everyday activities, &
can express immediate needs,
using simple learned phrases or
short sentences. Shows limited
control of grammar.
Individual can read most sight

words & many other common
words. Can read familiar
phrases & simple sentences,
but has a limited
understanding of connected
prose & may need frequent rereading. Can write some
simple sentences with limited
vocabulary. Meaning may be
unclear. Writing shows very
little control of basic grammar,
capitalization, & punctuation, &
has many spelling errors.
Individual can function in some

situations related to immediate needs
& in familiar social situations. Can
provide basic personal information on
simple forms & recognizes simple
common forms of print found in the
home, workplace, & community. Can
handle routine entry-level jobs
requiring basic written or oral English
communication & in which job tasks
can be demonstrated. May have
limited knowledge or experience using
computers.
Low Intermediate ESL

Test benchmark:
(SPL 4)
Oral BEST: 42-50
BEST Plus: 439-472
CASAS scale scores
Reading: 201-210
Listening: 201-210
Writing: 201-225
Individual expresses basic

survival needs & participates in
some routine social
conversations, although with
some difficulty. Understands
simple learned phrases easily &
some new phrases containing
familiar vocabulary spoken
slowly with repetition. Asks &
responds to questions in
familiar contexts. Has some
control of basic grammar.
Individual can read simple

material on familiar subjects &
comprehend simple &
compound sentences in single
or linked paragraphs
containing familiar vocabulary.
Can write simple notes &
messages on familiar
situations, but may lack variety
in sentence structure, clarity, &
focus of writing. Shows some
control of basic grammar (e.g.,
present & past tense) &
spelling. Uses some
punctuation consistently (e.g.,
periods, commas, question
marks, capitalization, etc.)
Individual can interpret simple

directions, schedules, signs, maps,
etc. Completes simple forms but
needs support on some documents
that are not simplified. Can handle
routine entry-level jobs that involve
some written or oral English
communication but in which job tasks
can be clarified orally or through
demonstration. May be able to use
simple computer programs, & can
perform a sequence of routine tasks
given directions (e.g., fax machine,
computer).
Literacy Level
High Intermediate ESL

Test benchmark:
Oral BEST: 51-57
(SPL 5)
BEST Plus: 473-506
(SPL 5)
(SPL 5-6)
CASAS scale scores
Reading: 211-220
Listening: 211-220
Writing: 226-242
Individual participates in
conversation in familiar social
situations. Communicates
basic needs with some help &
clarification. Understands
learned phrases & new phrases
containing familiar vocabulary.
Attempts to use new language,
but may be hesitant & rely on
descriptions & concrete terms.
May have inconsistent control
of more complex grammar.
Individual can read text on

familiar subjects that have a
simple & clear underlying
structure (e.g., clear main idea,
logical order). Can use word
analysis skills & context clues to
determine meaning with texts on
familiar subjects. Can write
simple paragraphs with main idea
& supporting details on familiar
topics (e.g., daily activities,
personal issues) by recombining
learned vocabulary & structures.
Can self- & peer-edit for spelling,
grammar, & punctuation errors.
Individual can meet basic survival &

social demands & can follow some
simple oral & written instructions. Has
some ability to communicate on the
telephone on familiar subjects. Can
write messages & notes related to
basic needs, & complete basic
medical forms & job applications.
Can handle jobs that involve basic
oral instructions & written
communication in tasks that can be
clarified orally. Can work with or learn
basic computer software, such as
word processing, & can follow simple
instructions for using technology.
Individual can understand &

communicate in a variety of
contexts related to daily life &
work. Can understand &
participate in conversation on a
variety of everyday subjects,
including some unfamiliar
vocabulary, but may need
repetition or rewording. Can
clarify own or others meaning by
rewording. Can understand the
main points of simple discussions
& informational communication in
familiar contexts. Shows some
ability to go beyond learned
patterns & construct new
sentences. Shows control of basic
grammar but has difficulty using
more complex structures. Has
some basic fluency of speech.
Individual can read moderately

complex text related to life roles &
descriptions & narratives from
authentic materials on familiar
subjects. Uses context & word
analysis skills to understand
vocabulary, & uses multiple
strategies to understand
unfamiliar texts. Can make
inferences, predictions, &
compare & contrast information in
familiar texts. Can write multiparagraph text (e.g., organizes &
develops ideas with clear
introduction, body, & conclusion),
using some complex grammar &
a variety of sentence structures.
Makes some grammar & spelling
errors. Uses a range of
vocabulary.
Individual can function independently

to meet most survival needs & to use
English in routine social & work
situations. Can communicate on the
telephone on familiar subjects.
Understands radio & television on
familiar topics. Can interpret routine
charts, tables, & graphs, & can
complete forms & handle work
demands that require non-technical
oral &d written instructions & routine
interaction with the public. Can use
common software, learn new basic
applications, & select the correct
basic technology in familiar situations.
Advanced ESL
Test benchmark:
Oral BEST: 58-64 (SPL
6)
BEST Plus: 507-540
(SPL 6)
(SPL 7)
CASAS scale scores
Reading: 221-235
Listening: 221-235
Writing: 243-260
Exit Criteria for ESL:

Oral BEST: 65 & above
(SPL 7)
BEST Plus: 541 & above
(SPL 7)
Literacy BEST: 76 &
above
CASAS scale scores
Reading: 236 & above
Listening: 236 & above
Writing: 261 & above
Appendix B: Metacognitive & Cognitive Learning Strategies

Metacognitive strategies involve planning, self-monitoring, and self-evaluating learning.
Metacognitive strategies generally occur before or after cognitive strategies are implemented.
Beginning Levels:
Learners should realize the connection between metacognitive & cognitive strategies and the difference between the
two concepts.
o Learners will plan for successful language learning by incorporating cognitive strategies, such as allowing more
time for attending class or for reviewing class content and materials; by incorporating note-taking as a strategy for
learning; and by creating a word bank in a readily available study resource.
o Learners will monitor their learning by checking their understanding of what they read or hear.
o Learners will evaluate their learning by creating measures for success, such as using new language in sentences
or in fundamental oral communication and identifying primary ideas in oral or written language activities.
Intermediate Levels:
Learners will focus on including more metacognitive & cognitive strategies in language learning.
o When planning, learners will expand their connection to language learning to include media of various sorts, such
as listening/watching target language programs on radio or television with close-captioning; listening to audio
books; reading magazines, books, and newspapers.
o Learners will increase monitoring of their learning by expanding the forums in which they use language for
authentic purposes.
o Learners will evaluate their learning by gauging comprehension when using language in authentic situations.
Advanced Levels:
Learners will habitually embrace metacognitive & cognitive strategies in language learning and will ask themselves
questions, such as
o How much time and what resources do I need to learn?
o Do I understand the language with which I am associated and why or why not?
o How can I measure my success at language acquisition?

Esl Curriculum Guidelines 2006

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Arkansas Adult ESL Curriculum Guidelines

The purpose of these guidelines is to assist Arkansas educators in providing English

Arkansas Adult ESL Curriculum Guidelines

Members of the Arkansas Adult Education ESL Task Force (2005)

Arkansas Department of Workforce Education

Northwest Arkansas Community College Adult Education

Thanks also go to Trisha Everett (Department of Workforce Education) for her

Arkansas Adult ESL Curriculum Guidelines

Interpersonal Communication ...................................................................... 4

II. Academic Skills

III. Workplace Development Skills

IV. National Reporting System Proficiency Levels (as of July 1, 2006)

Arkansas Adult ESL Curriculum Guidelines

Level 2 Low Beginning

Level 3 High Beginning

Arkansas Adult ESL Curriculum Guidelines

Level 5 High Intermediate

Arkansas Adult ESL Curriculum Guidelines

Level 2 Low Beginning

Level 3 High Beginning

Arkansas Adult ESL Curriculum Guidelines

Level 5 High Intermediate

Arkansas Adult ESL Curriculum Guidelines

C. Health and Nutrition

Level 2 Low Beginning

Level 3 High Beginning

Arkansas Adult ESL Curriculum Guidelines

C. Health and Nutrition

Level 5 High Intermediate

Arkansas Adult ESL Curriculum Guidelines

D. Time and Money

Level 2 Low Beginning

Level 3 High Beginning

Arkansas Adult ESL Curriculum Guidelines

D. Time and Money

Level 5 High Intermediate

Arkansas Adult ESL Curriculum Guidelines

E. Transportation and Travel

Level 2 Low Beginning

Level 3 High Beginning

Arkansas Adult ESL Curriculum Guidelines

E. Transportation and Travel

Level 5 High Intermediate

Arkansas Adult ESL Curriculum Guidelines

F. Safety and Security

Level 2 Low Beginning

Level 3 High Beginning

Arkansas Adult ESL Curriculum Guidelines

F. Safety and Security

Level 5 High Intermediate

Arkansas Adult ESL Curriculum Guidelines

Level 2 Low Beginning

Level 3 High Beginning

Arkansas Adult ESL Curriculum Guidelines

Level 5 High Intermediate

Arkansas Adult ESL Curriculum Guidelines

H. Government and Community Resources

Level 2 Low Beginning

Level 3 High Beginning

Arkansas Adult ESL Curriculum Guidelines

H. Government and Community Resources

Level 5 High Intermediate

Arkansas Adult ESL Curriculum Guidelines

I. Environment and the World